Just givin my two cents... Tried the Sam Adams Rebel IPA tonight, actually, not bad. Almost a perfect amount of hop. Even though I like a hoppier IPA like Torpedo, this was decent. Also tried the Du Claw Hellrazer. Not very hoppy or bitter, but there is an after taste that I don't like. Almost a skunky beer after taste.
Dude I been drinking the Port Brewing IPAs recently they're all tasty and the label designs will get you stoked.
Also tried Rebel IPA and also surprised that a Sam Adams product could be good. The Yards brew out of Philly is pretty good. Didn't think it was possible but I got tired of the Dogfish90 (favorite beer of KokiB) Lately been imbibing the Loose Cannon IPA, brewed in Bal'mer, 7.25 on the Richter Scale & a tasty gig.
Haven't tried it, I will now! I was just happy to find that they carried Modelo Especial at the Econo in Rincon.
Hear ya. Btw, along those lines, if you're ever (stuck) in VB, try the 7-11 at 39th & Atlantic. Dude who runs the place has an impressive array of brews.
This is one topic I have a clue about! I have been on a massive IPA bender (called my 30s) and have more than enough to ramble about. These days I am a beer snob, but I will gladly suck down $1 tall boys as well. Best IPA on the planet is Heady Topper (2x IPA I believe) from Alchemist Brewing Co. in Waterbury VT. Limited distribution in VT and around the country its a beer drinkers unicorn. You can get it in 4x16 cans or by the case. There are usually lines at the places it distros at, and people come as far as Rochester NY and Connecticut to get it. 10 out of 10! Its a life changer, if you appreaciate IPAs. If you're not an IPA hop snob, you won't get it. Second best IPA in the universe is 10 Barrel brewery's Apocalypse IPA. I used to live in Bend, OR, where its brewed. You can snag it on the east coast for about $15 a six pack, and if you appreciate good hops and crisp IPA, its worth every penny and then some. 9.85167 out of 10 New Hampshire's Smuttynose Finest Kind IPA is a great New England IPA. 8.3 out of 10. If you like a lighter IPA, Vermont's Zero Gravity Conehead IPA is amazing. Its light and wont fill you up. 9.2 out of 10. My 3rd favorite. Blue Lobster white IPA is pretty stellar as well. From Hampton NH. If you surf NH, go to the Community Oven and check it out. 8 out of 10. Caldera from Eugene OR has got good distro apparently because their 6ers are showing up in cans in the northeast. Pick them up. 7.7 out of 10. Generic IPAs: Harpoon makes a decent IPA you can snag at most any gas station. I will get it if I am out of options. Its the budweiser of IPAs, but surprisingly not horrible. Their rye IPA (Rich & Dans) is weird. Not my thing. Long Trail is urine, plain and simple, dragging the VT brand down. The Rebel by Sammy wasn't horrible to my surprise, but any of those gas station IPAs are pretty much the Channel Island surfboards of the IPA world. Whereas Headdy Topper or 10 Barrel Apocalypse IPA is like holding Darren Handley at gunpoint and having him shape the perfect board in front of you. Wow thats a horrible analogy. Right next to me in a glass is the slightly more accessible Founders All Day IPA. I give it a 5.7 out of 10. Michigan born I think. Too lazy to read the bottle so its doing what its intended to. Non-IPAs but still awesome: Switchback Ales from VT are popping up in 22s and on draft around New England. 7.6 / 10. Hill Farmstead Edward is something you should try if you can get your hands on it. In general Hill Farmstead has a plethora of outstanding beers that are racking up awards. I've never tried their IPAs but I am sure they are amazing. Anything from Hill Farmstead is pretty good. The Edward is 7.99999 / 10. To note: THE MOST IMPORTANT PART--- the glass. If they try to give you anything but a tapered pint glass, decline and take your business elsewhere. Much like wine, where certain grapes and styles are meant to be drank out of certain glass shapes so that it unfolds in your palate, I am a firm believe that IPAs are meant to be drank from a true 16 or 20 oz pint glass, slightly tapered. If you have the opportunity to splash it with water and freeze it for 10 minutes first, do it. If they give you some indy mason jar, smash it on the ground. They curve inward. Hops has soul, bro, and it needs to express itself. A bottle truly mutes the taste of an IPA in my humble but liver eroded opinion. Oddly enough, the Alchemist says that Heady Topper is meant to be drank out of the can for the same reason I just advocated for the glass. Comes only in cans in retail, or on tap. I still disagree. It tastes great both can and tap, but I prefer out of a glass. And the Mrs. says I am a useless alcoholic! HA. I hope my alcoholism has proven its worth.
Dually noted, btw this minifridge keeps em at optimum temperature, one degree lower and they would be frozen
Forgot to mention: Maine brewing company, Peeper Ale. Seen em in 16oz bottles. Pricey but amazing. Like a $400 hooker, afterwards you're like, "I didn't think I would say this but, that was actually worth it." I bought a handful of them and canoed out to an island on a lake and drank them all. Thats the whole story.
Well that's a buzzkill. Packing the suitcase also blows. How were the crowds on the waves this time of year? Did you get up to Wildo?
Yeah the packing sucks but my wife takes care of it so I don't have to worry bout it. Crowds were heavier than my last two trips but still got plenty of waves. So many d bags and drop in artists but overall I had a great trip. Already booked to return in April, it's just too convenient and inexpensive not to. Couldn't have timed this one any better though, good waves literally every day for an entire week.
Heady is 100 But so is pliny And stone enjoy by Dang ill even give sculpin a 100 Great up n comers Long trail limbo Victory dirt wolf Kane head hi... Huge sleeper its a 100 Sam is piss even the rebel... Stick to san diego stone ballast west coast port pizza port... This is an IPA thread right?
Victory Dirt Wolf is indeed a fine, fine concoction. Stone seems lacking in flava, doesn't hold up in the long haul.
